Answer:
a. 84 < n + (n + 2) + (n + 4) < 96
b. 26 < n < 30
step-by-step explanation:
using 'n' to represent the smallest even number, the next even number would be 'n + 2' and the next even number would be 'n + 4'. so, the expression to represent three consecutive even numbers is: n + (n + 2) + (n + 4).
since the sum of the these numbers needs to be between 84 and 96, we can set up the following inequality:
84 < n + (n + 2) + (n + 4) < 96
in order to solve for 'n', we must first combine like terms:
84 < 3n + 6 < 96
subtract 6 from all sides: 84 - 6 < 3n + 6 - 6 < 96 - 6 or 78 < 3n < 90
divide 3 by all sides: 78/3 < 3n/3 < 90/3 or 26 < n < 30.